16Hit1600
Advanced MathEasy–MediumReflection of an exponential graph across the y-axis

Advanced Math practice question

In the xy-plane, which of the following is an equation of the reflection of the graph of y = 2ˣ across the y-axis?

  1. A. y = 2⁻ˣCorrect
  2. B. y = −2ˣ
  3. C. y = 2ˣ − 1
  4. D. y = (1/2)ˣ + 1

Answer: A. y = 2⁻ˣ

Reflecting across the y-axis replaces x with −x: y = 2⁻ˣ (which equals (1/2)ˣ).

Why the other answers are wrong

B. y = −2ˣ
−2ˣ is the reflection across the x-axis.
C. y = 2ˣ − 1
Subtracting 1 shifts the graph down.
D. y = (1/2)ˣ + 1
(1/2)ˣ is the reflection, but the +1 shifts it up.

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